QUESTION Can one have sexual intercourse during malaria infection? Can malaria be transmitted by sexual intercourse? ANSWER Malaria cannot be transmitted by sexual intercourse. It is usually transmitted via the bite of an infected mosquito. Because the parasites infect red blood cells, malaria can also be transmitted via blood transfusion (if the blood is not screened beforehand), … [Read more...]
Complete Course of Anti-Malarial Drugs
QUESTION Hi, I am in Goa and so far have not been bitten by anything. I am taking anti malaria tablets which I do not like. My question is this. If I do not receive any bites do I need to complete the course when I get home? ANSWER It is always better to complete the course of anti-malarials, just in case you actually did get bitten but just did not notice it. However, in some cases, the … [Read more...]
Is it possible to inherit malaria?
QUESTION I was wondering is it possible for a father who contracted malaria in the Korean War to pass it to his unborn child. ANSWER No. Malaria can only be transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, and in rare cases, through infected blood, for example from a blood transfusion or organ transplant. Mothers can transmit malaria to their unborn babies via the placenta or through … [Read more...]
Malaria in KwaZulu Natal
QUESTION How many people are infected by malaria in KZN? ANSWER By "KNZ" I assume you mean KwaZulu Natal (for the benefit of other readers, this is a region of South Africa, in the north-eastern portion of the country). KZN is one of the few parts of South Africa that experiences malaria transmission, though effective control measures have reduced its impact as a public health threat. … [Read more...]
Malaria and Ross River Fever
QUESTION Is malaria similar to Ross river Fever which is common in Australia? If you have Ross River and get bitten by a mosquito can the mosquito pass it on to some one else. ANSWER Ross River fever is similar to malaria in that both are transmitted by mosquitoes. However, Ross River fever is caused by a virus, whereas malaria is caused by a protozoan (single-celled) parasite. Also, the … [Read more...]
Malaria In Africa
QUESTION What factors cause Africans to get this disease? ANSWER The highest number of malaria cases every year occur in Africa, not because of anything specifically due to the people living there (in fact, they may be better protected against malaria than most—I will come onto this later) but because malaria transmission is very high in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa and … [Read more...]
Malaria Transmission and Deaths in the United States
QUESTION How do you get malaria? How does malaria come to the United States? How many people have died from malaria? ANSWER Malaria is caused by infection with single-celled parasites called Plasmodium. There are five different species which infect humans; of these, Plasmodium falciparum is the most deadly. The Plasmodium parasites are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected … [Read more...]
What is malaria, and what causes it?
QUESTION What is malaria and what causes it? ANSWER Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells. Usually, people get malaria by being bitten by an infective female Anopheles mosquito. Only Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria and … [Read more...]
Cyclical Fever and Malaria Symptoms
QUESTION My dad is not well from last one month. In the evening time he feels headache, neck pain and 102 Temp. Can you please tell me can it be Malaria. ANSWER Those symptoms can be characteristic of malaria—cyclical fever is a key symptom, though usually the cycles are every other day or even every third day (depending on the type of malaria). However, in some cases the cycles … [Read more...]
Malaria in Borneo, Indonesia
QUESTION We fly to Borneo tomorrow and have been very stupid not thinking about Malaria medication. Can someone quickly tell if I should take medication when there and also what type would be best to take? Thank you for your help. ANSWER Yes! Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for trips to Indonesian Borneo, particularly rural areas. Recommended forms of prophylaxis are Malarone … [Read more...]